About

Normandale Community College

Normandale Community College is a two-year college located in Bloomington, Minnesota, United States, serving primarily the communities of the southwestern portion of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. Established in 1968 as Normandale State Junior College with an initial enrollment of 1,358 students, today Normandale annually enrolls more than 10,000 students. Normandale is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system.

Nine Mile Creek transects the college campus near East Marsh Lake Park's wetlands and was the initial site for their host city's "Adopt-A-Wetland" service learning prototype (2003–2004).

Mission

As an urban community college serving primarily the southwest metropolitan region of the Twin Cities, Normandale prepares students for full participation in our diverse communities, creates pathways to other college programs, and builds community connections. Students attending Normandale are able to obtain an Associate Degree.

Facilities

Entrance to the library building at Normandale Community College

Normandale Community College is located at West 98th Street and France Avenue South in Bloomington, Minnesota, on a 90-acre (36 ha) site 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Interstate 494. The campus is accessible to persons with disabilities, and features eight contemporary brick buildings around a central courtyard. These buildings include the following: Academic Partnership Center, Activities, Building Services, College Services, Fine Arts, Library, Science, and a newly renovated Student Center. The campus also features a Japanese Garden. The Academic Partnership Center is in conjunction with Minnesota State University, Mankato. A 727-space four story parking ramp opened in Fall 2012.

Accreditation

Normandale Community College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission. Individual program accreditations include: American Dental Association, American Dietetic Association, Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, Minnesota State Board of Nursing, and the National League for Nursing. Normandale is one of only four community colleges across the nation that is now accredited in three Fine Arts areas: National Association of Schools of Music, National Association of Schools of Theatre, and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Honors

The Community Connections award is given each year by the Normandale Foundation on behalf of the college. The award symbolizes exemplary service to the community by deed and example.

Recipients are: 2000 - Charlie Boone and Roger Erickson, local broadcast legends on WCCO-AM radio for nearly 40 years. 2001 - Futurist and pioneer of the modern computer, Earl C. Joseph, Sr., was recognized for his sustained support with helping to expand funding of higher education student scholarships. 2002 - Bob DeFlores, film archivist and historian who has hosted many film festivals nationwide to raise money for education. Normandale partners with DeFlores in the DeFlores Film Project. 2003 - Percy Hughes, a gifted jazz musician, tennis coach, and mentor. 2004 - Lee and Barbara Kopp, philanthropists and generous supporters of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system who were also honored by the Council for Resource Development in Washington, D.C., in 2004 as Benefactor of the Year. The Kopp Student Center is named after them. 2005 - Alice Seagren, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education, and former teacher who also served in the Minnesota House of Representatives. 2006 - The Normandale Japanese Garden Committee members, who volunteer to maintain the college's Japanese Garden by weeding and cleaning, hosting an annual dinner event, and renting the garden for weddings. 2007 - Larry Jodsaas, Retired Chairman of PolarFab and Normandale benefactor for whom the Jodsaas Science Center is named. 2008 - The students of Normandale's first cohort in the Academy of Math and Science are honored for their educational successes. 2009 - City of Bloomington's third-term mayor Gene Winstead.